Police: 16-year-old was gunman in motel shooting; teen took own life

3 young children found in motel room

The 16-year-old's best friend said he was a good person who made a mistake. He said his friend was a karate black belt who always wore a smile. He said the teen was enrolled in adult education school at the time and dreamed of owning his own gym.

When Allen got to the room, he said he found two 16-year-old males and an 18-year-old man, along with three children, ages 5 months to three years, investigators said.

According to the investigation, when Allen requested identification from those in the room, one of the 16-year-olds pulled out a gun and opened fire.

Police said the 16-year-old suspect's parents asked that his name not be released to the media.

Allen returned fire and took cover in a bathroom until backup arrived.

The two others fled the motel room, leaving the children behind. Their names have not been released, and it was unclear whether they will face charges related to the incident.

Investigators said the gunman then left the room with his belongings and was seen by witnesses in the first-floor hallway.

Witnesses told police that the gunman took a gun out of his bag and shot himself once in the head.

First responders found the teen dead in the hallway when they arrived at the scene.

Allen was found in the motel room bathroom and was taken to UC Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries. He was released a few hours after the shooting.

Florence police said an autopsy was performed on the gunman Wednesday.

According to school district officials, the 16-year-old was a former Holmes High School sophomore, who was last enrolled in the school from Sept. 4 until Sept. 23. He was also a Dixie Heights student last year, but did not attend for a full year.

His best friend said the teen was a good person who made a mistake. He said his friend was a karate black belt who always wore a smile. He said the teen was enrolled in adult education school at the time and dreamed of owning his own gym.

Officers said they found three guns on the suspect's body when they arrived at the motel.

Guests, who were forced to evacuate the hotel, came back Wednesday and said they were still in shock after the shooting.

“I’ve lived all over the place and I’ve never, never experienced anything like I have here," Bruce Eggebeen said. "I have to laugh to keep from crying. (It's) beyond frustrating. I don’t know, you know, we just come home and as sad as it may be, this is our home now. For two years I have been through everything you guys have been reporting on, I just, I see it.”

The Boone County Sheriff's Department has taken over the investigation.

The Red Cross was assisting motel guests displaced during the shootout. They stayed Tuesday night at a Florence church, and some guests were allowed to return to the motel Wednesday to retrieve personal items.